Utility rack



Sept. 22, 1942. w, M, DCKER 2,296,506

UTILITY RACK Filed Sept. ll, 1941 I/I/I .MI .DOCKER .Z'NVENTDR T TUNEL.

Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNTED STATES 'maar iai-"ics Application September 11, 1941, Serial No. 410,407 In Canada June19, 1939 5 Claims.

The present invention relates to a device which can be made in a number of modied forms, all carrying out the same idea of a special type of holding means, which is particularly adapted to hold articles of many kinds on the face or front surface of a supporting structure, for the purpose of presenting an attractive display f articles for use in stores and the like.

The holding means above referred to is of the essence of the invention, in that its constructional features enable said means to positively hold and support the article being displayed on the face of the supporting structure, as will be further explained as the description proceeds herein.

Four forms or modifications of the device in hand are villustrated in the accompanying drawing, but I do not limit the use of the invention to these forms, as many other types of supporting means can be adopted, in connection with the special holding means for the articles used with the invention, as will be described in the speciflcation.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part of this present specification, I have illustrated several practical examples of the device in hand, in which: f

Figure l is a front View of one type of the utility rack, the type of which is designated as A herein.

Figure 2 is a vertical side View of the device shown in Figure l, taken from the left side thereof, and made partly in vertical section.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the kind of device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a front elevation of a cluster of modified forms of the invention, illustrating the various types of the invention, as well as the possibilities of group arrangement.

Figure 6 is a side View of the type of device shown in the central position of B, Figure 5, and highest place therein, said view being taken from the left of the invention as seen in said Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a side view of the device D (taken from the left thereof), which occupies the lowest position in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a side View of one of the holding means or clips shown in Figure 1 of the drawing.

Figure 9 is a similar side view of the same clip shown in Figure 8, except the same is shown when in extended position, ready for the insertion of an article thereunder.

Figure 10 is a plan view of Figure 6.

In the drawing, I have illustrated four types of the invention, as clearly shown in Figure 5, in which said forrns are designated A, B, C, and D. The numeral I in Figures 1 to 4, indicates a preferably wooden board or plaque (which may be also of metal if desired), same being made of attractive form with rounded edges 2, and properly enameled in attractive colors. This plaque is the supporting means referred to above in this description, for articles of many kinds, such as the knife 3 of Figure l.

The holding means for the articles against the plaque I, consists of a clip 4, which is of quite special construction, and same is responsible in great measure for the operating attractiveness, and commercial success of the invention, The clip 4 is made from a portion of spring-steel tape such as is used for spring metal tapes for measuring purposes. It is usually qute'thn, as such tapes usually are, and of a superior quality of spring steel. as has been found advantageous in order for the clips ld to take a positive grip on the articles being held, such as the knife 3, of Figure 1. This is readily seen to be needed, as otherwise the articles 3, readily become displaced on the plaque I, to a non-horizontal position, and thereby injure the display effect of the invention. The clips have a curved inner surface as shown clearly at 5, in Figures 3, 4, and 9 of the drawing. This concave construction 5, is an important feature of the clip 4, as when a nail or screw 6 is passed through the clip, and. into the wood plaque l, as shown in Figure 1, the clip is flattened around and about the area l, adjacent to the screw 6, but nevertheless the curve 5 retains its concave shape elsewhere in the clip, and lies against the face of the plaque l (as clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 8 of the drawing), the central portion however of curve 5 being still concavely curved as shown. In Fig. 9, is illustrated the position of the upper end of the clip 4 takes, when lifted or raised by hand, in order to place a portion of an article such as 3 thereunder. It is found that this concavely and inwardly curved spring steel clip 4 as above described, exerts a very strong pressure on any articles placed thereunder, and assures the said article being positively held in a desired position on the plaque l, as is at once understood. The upper end 8 of the clip 4 is preferably made in the pointed form as shown, as being convenient for engaging most articles usually displayed, but same can be made rounded or heXagon-shaped if found desirable for any particular kind of articles displayed.

The invention may 'also be provided with a base such as 9 or I0, in which is a groove Il slightly larger than the thickness of the plaques, so that the plaques will lean backward from a vertical position as illustrated in Figures 6 and '7 of the drawing. It will be evident that with a long and high plaque such as I in Fig. 1, that the base 9 should have a greater length rearwardly than the width of the same, for purposes of equilibrium and proper support, while the reverse is true in case of a plaque such as B, C, or D which are of comparatively small height.

The types of plaques shown in Figure 5, such as A, B, C, D are quite attractive, and it is evident that when groups such as shown in said Figure 5 are placed in store windows, and the plaques are daintily painted in contrasting colors, with a series of articles all of the same general character mounted on them, the Whole ensemble provides an attractive display of wares.

Attention is also called to the fact that the plaques may be placed in horizontal positions on counters within a store, and the articles mounted v particularly adapted for the use on counters, as i they pack side by side readily. When used flat on counters it is evident the bases, 9 and I0, etc. are not required, and are readily dismounted from the plaques.

In some instances the central portion of the plaques other than the edges 2, 2 are enamelled `say green, and the rounded edges colored black, or any other contrasting color, while the clips 4 are of course silvered or nickelled, the Whole forming a Yfine ornamental display rack.

I claim:

1, In a device of the class described, an article supporting plaque, a plurality of clips mounted on the plaque, each made from thin resilient strip material having a normally horizontally curved cross-sectional form, a attened portion on each of the clips surrounding its point of attachment to the plaque, and a readily liftable and resilient upper end on each clip, which retains its horizontally curved form after said clip is mounted on the plaque, and provides a means whereby articles may be mounted either thereon or thereunder, on the surface of the supporting plaque.

2. A means for supporting articles on a supporting plaque, comprising a clip made from a strip of spring-metal, and having a horizontally curved cross-sectional outline, said clip being adapted to form when mounted on the plaque a flattened portion in direct contact with the plaque surface, adjacent to its point of xation, and said clip being also adapted to form when in mounted position a readily liftable upper end portion thereon Which automatically spaces itself a distance from the plaque surface, thereby facilitating the mounting of articles either on or under said end for display purposes.

3. In a device of the class described, a supporting plaque, a number of clips mounted on the plaque for holding articles thereon, each clip being made from thin resilient strip material, and having a horizontally concave outline, each clip being adapted to form When mounted on the plaque a attened-out portion in contacting relation with the surface of the plaque, at the area adjacent to the point of fixation of the clip to the plaque, and a normally outstanding liftable portion at the upper end of the clip, for the purpose of facilitating the mounting of articles on or under the liftable end of said clip.

4. In a device of the class described, a supporting plaque, a number of resilient clips mounted on the plaque for holding articles for display purposes, each clip being made of thin strip material having a horizontally concave cross-sectional outline, and With a ilattened portion near its point of attachment to the plaque, while the remaining portion of the clip retains its horizontally concave cross-sectional outline, for the purpose of adding gripping strength to the upper portion of the clip.

5. A means for mounting articles on a plaque, comprising a clip made from resilient strip material having a horizontally curved cross-sectional outline, said strip material being adapted to form a attened portion on the clip surrounding its point of fixation on the plaque when mounted on the latter, a readily liftable upper portion on the clip which retains its curved cross-sectional outline after being mounted on the plaque, and automatically spaces itself a distance Vfrom the plaque surface, and a sharply pointed end on said upper portion of the clip, for the purpose of readily mounting soft materials thereon, such as wool, crochet thread and the like, and also articles which have recesses or apertures in them, into which the sharply pointed end may be conveniently entered for mounting purposes.

WILLIAM M. DOCKER. 

